Without designated beneficiaries, the people you intend to protect could miss out while your assets get tied up in court.

Then, after you die, your beneficiaries present a death certificate to the financial institution and fill out a form. The check arrives in a few weeks. There's no probate, no court involvement ...

Learn how to make a will for free through this step-by-step guide. Know when it makes sense to do a DIY will or hire a lawyer ...

Naming a beneficiary is generally a simple matter. The forms for the account or policy will ask you to provide the person’s full legal name and relationship to you, such as spouse, child or parent.

For retirement savers, adding a beneficiary to your 401(k) plan should be a top priority. A 401(k) plan beneficiary is the person or entity, such as a charity or trust, who inherits your 401(k) ...

The person or persons named on an account’s beneficiary designation form will receive those assets after you die — even if your will or revocable trust has different instructions. Beneficiary ...

When you set up a company 401(k), you're faced with a beneficiary form that asks for both the primary and the contingent beneficiary or beneficiaries. If you should die with that 401(k ...

Ashlea Ebeling: There are actually a lot of documents that can override wills and the chances are you've already filled them out through the beneficiary forms for retirement accounts, life ...

Missing Information If the insurer is missing a death certificate or beneficiary contact information, or if the claim forms are not filled out correctly, then it may take longer to process the claim.

Paper: Designation of Beneficiary Form Note: If you are married and designate someone other than a spouse as your primary beneficiary, you must submit a beneficiary form with the notarized consent of ...